Cornwall's second home crisis worsens as 1,000 new properties emerge

In the past year, Cornwall has seen a significant rise in the number of second homes, with almost 1,000 additional properties bringing the total to over 14,000. This increase marks a 7.5% rise from the previous count of 13,140 homes. The implications of this trend are deeply concerning to local residents, who argue that the influx of second homes exacerbates housing shortages and drives up property prices, ultimately threatening community sustainability and affordability. Despite the local frustrations, some argue that these second homes play an essential role in supporting the tourism economy in the region. This contention pits economic benefits against housing accessibility, leading to a heated debate within the community regarding prioritization of residents versus the tourist economy. On a national scale, the issue is not isolated to Cornwall alone, as the overall data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reveals a growing trend across England. Nationwide, there are now approximately 279,870 second homes, reflecting an increase of 16,552 from the previous year and over 22,957 since 2022. This rising trend is raising alarms as communities across various tourist-centric regions face similar challenges related to housing affordability, with the majority of complaints reflecting concerns over the lack of social housing solutions. Local citizens are calling for more accountability and better regulations surrounding second home ownership to address the issues being faced. Adding to the complexity of the situation, many landlords are selling their properties due to shifting market conditions and legislative pressures. Many locals believe the narrative that second homes should simply come onto the market as affordable housing overlooks the underlying economic realities and the current landscape of social housing in Cornwall. More than just a housing crisis, the conversation is becoming a broader discourse on economic inequality as it pertains to housing accessibility and private rental markets. The concern is acute among residents who fear that continued increases in second home numbers will lead to the collapse of the local property market, damaging not only the economy but the fabric of their communities. Without viable solutions, many warn of potential adverse effects, suggesting that the very appeal that brings tourists to Cornwall may be jeopardized if residents can no longer afford to live there.